Cuisinart Extreme Brew DCC-2650 Review

Cuisinart Extreme Brew DCC-2650 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Nearly identical to the DCC-2600 we reviewed here,… Cuisinart Extreme Brew DCC-2650 Review Cuisinart Extreme Brew DCC-2650 Review 2015-05-17 Geoff - Let's Drip Some Coffee Review Score Features Aesthetics Build Quality Price 74 #8 in our Top-10 list With improved brewing times and a downgraded carafe, Cuisinart’s Extreme Brew DCC-2650 only differs marginally from its cheaper predecessor. For some, the $40 bump in price cannot be justified. Many others, however, have voted with their wallets and bought into Cuisinart’s Extreme Brew technology. All things considered, we can only recommend the DCC-2650 over its cheaper predecessor to a specific type of customer; the type that would throw a fit waiting 15 minutes for a fresh batch of coffee. Shop Now 74

The Cuisinart DCC-2650 is #8 on our:
Top 10 – Best Drip Coffee Maker

Cuisinart Extreme Brew DCC-2650 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Nearly identical to the DCC-2600 we reviewed here, the Cuisinart Extreme Brew DCC-2650 is a newer, more powerful version of the former. With the same sleek design and slew of convenient features, the DCC-2650 brings one major improvement to the table: Cuisinart’s new Extreme Brew technology, promising to brew coffee 25% faster than the average coffee maker.

Features of the Cuisinart Extreme Brew DCC-2650 Brew Central

While the older Cuisinart DCC-2600 is a wonderful device, it suffers from some of the longest brewing times seen on drip machines; a single batch could take as long as 15 minutes to brew. Recognizing this is as one of the biggest shortcomings of the previous Brew Central model, Cuisinart engineers have completely reworked the machine’s brewing technology.

The result: a brew time 25% faster than the average coffee machine.

While no one (save Cuisinart engineers) is exactly sure how this spangled new Extreme Brew feature works, there is no doubt that it does. Cuisinart’s Extreme Brew DCC-2650 demolishes the competition, brewing a full 12-cup batch in 6 minutes flat. For many coffee addicts across the globe, this feature alone has justified dropping more than $100 on an upgrade.

The only other notable difference between the Cuisinart Extreme Brew and its predecessor, the DCC-2600, is the included glass carafe. While the older model used a hefty 14-cup carafe, the Cuisinart Extreme Brew received a modest downgrade to 12-cups. The reasoning for this is unclear, but some speculate that this was another measure to improve brew time. Because the DCC-2650 brews a cup roughly every 30 seconds, including the larger carafe would have increased the machine’s brew time by a whole minute.

Either way, the carafe downgrade is minor, and 12-cups happens to be the industry standard.

All other facets of Cuisinart’s DC-26XX line remain virtually unchanged:

• Like its predecessor, the Cuisinart Extreme Brew uses a large showerhead for improved grinds saturation.
• The same removable, permanent, gold tone filter is included in the package for fans of European styled drip coffee.
• For the North Americans, a pack of paper filters is also included.
• The water reservoir remains largely unchanged, and uses the same removable charcoal filter for softening your water prior to the brewing process.
• The strength control is untouched, offering the same two options of regular and bold coffee.
• The interface is identical to the previous iteration, and has all of the same programmable functionality.
• Likewise, the DCC-2600’s clean feature makes a return, reminding you when it’s time to maintain your machine, and decalcifying it automatically with the help of some white vinegar.

The last important point to address is brewing temperature. Cuisinart seems to have once more proliferated misleading claims regarding the DCC-2650’s brew temperature. Cuisinart has openly claimed that this device brews between 180° F and 190° F.

This is simply untrue.

Dozens of customers have put these claims to the test and posted their results online. According to these reports, the actual temperature range is closer to 170° – 175° F, identical to that of the preceding DCC-2600.

Aesthetics

Visually, the Cuisinart Extreme Brew DCC-2650 is nearly identical to its predecessor. The only discernable difference comes from the carafe, which has traded the stylish stainless steel accent on its handle for a more subdued black plastic. Beyond this minor change to the carafe, the Cuisinart Extreme Brew DCC-2650 is just as handsome, its curves just as elegant, and its trims just as stylish. This is a unique and beautiful device that exudes personality, and it will look wonderful standing on any countertop.

Build Quality

Sporting the same build as the DCC-2600, the DCC-2650’s stainless steel enclosure is slightly less impressive this time around. While we praised the high fidelity build of the DCC-2600, it was only impressive relative to its price point of $70. The same build on a machine almost 50% more expensive is disappointing. For roughly the same price as the DCC-2650, you can purchase a drip machine with an industrial grade build (notably, Bunn’s Velocity).

This criticism also applies to other facets of the build, including knobs, buttons, and lids. While they’re all sturdy, you just wouldn’t expect anything else from a $100+ machine.

More bad news: issues with the drip-pause feature have not been addressed. Despite having fewer reviews than the DC-2600, more people are citing these issues with the DC-2650. Nearly 10% of customers have reported some variation of leaking carafes and overflowing filter baskets.

At a price point over $100, Cuisinart is treading closely to the high-end bracket of coffee machines. Unfortunately, this is not reflected in the build.

Cuisinart Extreme Brew DCC-2650 – Pros vs. Cons

How Much Does The Cuisinart Extreme Brew DCC-2650 Brew Central Cost?

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